Jeong Kwan is a Buddhist nun who happens to also be a phenomenal chef. Many of the most notable names in the culinary industry come from around the world to study with her and sing her praises. I was introduced to Jeong Kwan through the Netflix series Chef's Table (season 3, episode 1). It remains one of the most influential and inspiring documentaries I've seen and I hope you'll take the time to check it out.
Jeong Kwan prepares her dishes with intention. Put good energy in, get good energy out. Her trust and awareness allow her to make the most out of simple ingredients. Her trust and awareness breed a calmness that makes way for creativity and contentment. It is an approach beneficial to cooking and also life.
Don't have time to watch the full episode? Take two minutes to peep the video below where she addresses energy, Earth and enlightenment.
I highly recommend bookmarking her blog, A Sprig of Thyme, for all sorts of good, fresh ideas.
ART I LIKE
Louise Bourgeois has long been one of my favorite artists. The French-American artist died in 2010, but left behind an extensive body of work, which spanned many mediums. My first introduction to Bourgeois was her spider sculptures. My grandma always said spiders were good luck, and to learn Bourgeois' used the arachnid as a representation of her mother and herself resonated.
During the 1940s and 1950s, Bourgeois challenged abstract expressionism, the popular movement of the time, by making art reflective of her life. “Art is not about art. Art is about life, and that sums it up,” she noted. A bold move that paid dividends as her art has been featured in over 35 exhibitions worldwide.
A SONG I LIKE
LOL
What do you call a round, green vegetable that breaks out of prison?
My best friend Leyla is currently observing Ramadan. She sent over this article on the Muslim holy month that has takeaways for everyone, religious or not. We all need to take time to reset and fill ourselves back up. And whether that's participating in a faithful month of sacrifices or making time to journal or meditate regularly, I encourage you commit to "a journey back to some emotional center we've thought to be lacking."
ONE LAST THING
My children's book that's really an everybody book, Make it a Good Day, was featured in a HelloGiggles article alongside Gayle King's Note to Self: Inspiring Words From Inspiring People and Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg, plus a few others. I thought that was pretty cool. And I'm excited to read the other titles on the list. Check it out. Also, here's a reminder to make up your mind to make today good.
